Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcers are the most common cause for prolonged hospitalizations. Though preventable by effective identification, education and preventive foot care practice, we come across plenty cases of diabetic foot ulcers. Health education is imparted through various modes, however the practice of preventable measures remains important.

Objective: To know the practices of foot care among patients with diabetic foot ulcer with predominant rural background.

Methodology: Individuals having diagnosed diabetic foot ulcers (n=150) were selected from MVJMC & RH, Hoskote a rural medical college hospital. They were given an interviewer administered, pre tested questionnaire following informed consent. Patient perceptions of foot care were inquired. A scoring system ranging from 0-10 was employed to analyze the responses given for practice of diabetic foot care.

Results: Mean age was 58.4 years (SD ±8.6) and 74% were males. Non healing ulcers were present among 82.7% and amputations amounted to 38.2%. The control of diabetes was poor in 60%. Regarding foot care knowledge, the mean score was 8.37, 75.5% had scored above mean and 52.7% were aware of all principles of foot care. Regarding foot care practices, the mean score was 4.55, 47.3% participants had scored below mean and 22.7% did not practice any foot care principle and hence scored 0. A Statistically significant difference exists between the foot care knowledge and practice scores (p<0.001, z= -8.151). In the study sample 51% were not educated prior to occurrence of complications.

Conclusion: Results demonstrate a satisfactory knowledge on diabetic foot disease; however their practices of preventive techniques were unsatisfactory. Implementation of a national policy on diabetic foot management and good patient follow-up to increase compliance would help to improve this situation.